St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-04-16

i
Grant or any other man, She says softly,
with such light in her eyes as he had
never seen there before.
The day wanes slowly; and night draws
near With reluctant footsteps Nadine,
standing before her glass, is conscious of
thrill of satisfied vanity as she sees the
dainty vision that is gazing back at her.
All in white the vision stands: a simply
clad thing in virgin muslin, but with a
face above it beautiful as dream. That
it is her own face rejoices the heart of
Nadine.
The many guests accommodating for to-
morrow nights ball have all arrived, and
it is with a f1utter at her breast that
Nadine takes a last glance at her charm
ing person, and clasps round her neck the
diamond cross-Paul Annerley's first gift
to her 1t had been deemed by her too
grand an ornament to be worn on the ear
lier evenings here, when only a simple
black grenadine had been her dinner
dress, but tonight, as she sees herself
looking all that the heart of man could
desire. in her delicate Indian fabric, she
tells herself that the glstening diamonds
are what will add the last finishing touch
10 an already perfect picture.
Taking up her fan, and returning the
maids congratulations on her appearance
with pleased little laugh, she leaves her
room and goes slowly down the staircase
toward the drawing room. For minute
or two she pauses outside the door, partly
from natural nervousness at encountering
SO many strangers-their voices coming
to her i'll a subdued murmur from within
and partly to give herself Il last glance
over in the huge mirror behi"d her, to as
sure herself that she is looking farer than
usual, and tAat in her true loves eyes she
may find favor. She signs little as she
remembers how far she will be from him
in Il few days time--lost to him forever
bound irreEocably to one whom She may
respect bu9 can never love.
The smile had died from her lips, and
her face is colorless as her gown when she
has finished these sad musings, and open
ing the drawing room door, advances
slowly to where she can see Lady Val
worth in the distance.
The room is somewhat crowded. Many
look up us she goes by them. Some re-
gard her siIeutly-these the men; some
ask, i'll q deprecatory way, who she is
-.Icse the women.
Lady Ealworth, with whom she has be-
come a rcigning fayorite, turns to greet
her as she approaches her side.
You must let me introduce You to q
very charming little friend of mine. - she
says to her companion, Lord Aster, hold
ing out her hand to Nadine with Il kindly
smile. ~ friend, TOO, Of AIlliceut s."
She gets through the introduction, and
Lord Aster, an old beau with juvenile
lisp, and a wig callow and golden as a
chicken down, murmurs something COM
i'll & bOyiSh tone that is as
labored as it is ancient.
There are few arrangements as yet
incomplete. Some eligibles unassigned.
whispers Lady Nalworth to her favori,o.
II should like to give you some one who
would amuse you through the tedious time
Of dinner. Would you like
She comes suddenly to dead stop. She
had been murmuring to the girl in gay
aside, with a smile upon her face, but now
the smile has given place to Al glance of
mingled establishment and horror. Her
Sres ara fixed on Madness breast. whore
the diamond cross-Paul Annerley's gift
is glittering and sparkling magnifi-
Gently as the girls gentle bosom rises
and falls.
''That-where did you get that?' de-
mands Lady Valworth, in stifled tone.
Lord ASter. fortunately, is CHANGING
through his jaunty eyeglass at some one
sitting quite at the other end of the room.
Nadine and Lady Valworth are virtually
alone.
"That?' asks Nadine neryously, sur
prised at Lady Valworth's, manner. She
looks so innocently at her hostess that the
latter, by supreme effort, recovering
herself, lays her hand reassuringly upon
her arm.
Nothing, my love. 1t was mere start
I received. That pretty cross upon your
neck reminded me of one / used to adj
mire long ago. Who gave it to you:'
paul Annerley-Paul, to whom am
engaged" says the girl, with little
sigh. In truth, the pretty bauble-the
value of which is unguessed by hers
devoid of all tender interest, coming as it
did from him.
"Ahl pretty gift" returns Lady Val
worth absently. In spite of herself her
manner is constrained. She moves away
from Nadine and crosses the room to
where Millicent is standing, conversing
with Geraldine Massareene. Her face is
very pale, and there is excitement in her
eye as she approaches her niece
"Millicent," says she abruptly tapping
Miss Grey's arm with her trembling
fingers Something more than strange
has happened. | must speak to you be-
cause you are her friend, and''-
What is it? You look as if you had
seen a ghost!" exclaims Miss Grey, COM
pelling her to sink upon lounge near
her.
II have seen what never hoped to see
againl Part of my stolen diamonds! l
have seen my diane ld cross!"
70 b" continued.